Stabilisation work begins on historic library building

The essential work needed to stabilise the historic Northwich Library building began this week.

Engineers have arrived on site to carry out external structural work to the historic building to ensure it is sound and ready for the start of major internal renovation work beginning next year, transforming the building for future generations of library users.

Graham Pink, Director of Commercial Management and Delivery at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “Over the past months, a team of historic building specialists and structural engineers have been working together to calculate how to sensitively support the building to allow conservation and repair work to be undertaken.

“This first phase of structural support work will allow the engineers to get up close to the building and design a scheme of structural repairs along its west elevation, which is suffering from some complex structural problems. This will safeguard this important historic building and architectural asset at the heart of Northwich Town Centre.”

The Council has commissioned Recclesia Ltd to undertake this initial phase of work, based on its experience of looking after historic buildings with complicated conservation and remedial repair requirements.

Recclesia will be working alongside structural engineers from Ramboll, specialist scaffolding engineers, Historic England, asbestos specialists, and qualified health and safety advisors to carry out this work.

Library services will be temporarily relocated to Weaver Hall Museum, the opening date will be confirmed soon. There will also be a library service offer at Brio Memorial Court, offering a self-service issue and return facility. Events and activities will be offered at Weaver Hall, Brio and other suitable locations in the town centre.

To keep up to date with the project and with library services please visit the website: 

Northwich Library | Cheshire West and Chester Council 

...and follow Cheshire West and Chester Libraries on Facebook and Twitter.